Weight Loss Surgery was such an out of the blue decision for me -- I'm not even sure exactly how it came about. We live in the boonies, I don't watch TV, and I didn't know any one else with a LapBand (or any other WLS). I am kind of a health food type and had never been an overnight patient in the hospital before. I guess I heard that a cousin's doctor had recommended this for him and so I started digging into the research. Almost right away I realized I was the perfect candidate. I think what this means is that I was READY. I had spent two decades dieting and working every weight loss angle under the sun, yet I always put the weight back on again plus a little more. Each year I was a little heavier, and since I'm in my fifties it was really starting to add up. I ate well, just too much. Now I eat well, just in much smaller portions and at appropriate intervals. What a difference this makes over time.

Here I am today 75 pounds down from when I started 17 months ago. I honestly can't believe it. Next month at a year and a half I hope to be able to report 80. It's been a long winter and I have not been exercising as much as I'd like. I know from experience that for me the exercise is really the magic ingredient. I hate the gym and as soon as this sleet and snow clears off I can't wait to resume outdoor walking again. Last year I bought a bike and I look forward to that. I have arthritis and being able to do these things is a real gift. So much easier without carrying around all that extra weight!

The scale is the scale and sometimes it doesn't budge. I tend to lose some and then hover a long while around a particular number for a while. This can be frustrating but I've learned that it is okay, that the scale will eventually move. Meanwhile, its all about the pants, the pants. I have gone from 18 jeans down to size 10 in the same brand. Right now I have a pair of size 10 jeans in another brand that I picked up on sale and they are way too tight. But I'm going to get into those jeans over time -- and I also have a couple of pair of linen pants in my closet. I try them all on from time to time and that helps keep me motivated. It's all about the pants, the pants.....

Determining a goal weight is hard -- I guess I will know when I get there (and I know I'm not there yet). I'm fairly tall and don't want to be "skinny" -- I like my curves. For now I am thinking 155 might be a good weight for me and I am thrilled to be just 22 pounds away from that goal as of this morning. Oh my goodness, I am so happy!

And while I was yakking on to dfaulkner about sweets, I completely forgot to congratulate Bandista on her incredible 75 lb weight loss !! Way to go !! Congratulations !!! How are things going since your post in April ? Better ? Worse ? Biking or walking much ? Details ? ( Sorry , got off track, one of us here is ADD and easily distacted......................squirrel !)

I'm very happy for you! Well done!

Bandista - you are my lapband hero!!!!! Thank you for your great posts!!!

@@pink dahlia thanks for your post which I'm just seeing now......having a great summer, lots of walking and gardening (yes, some dahlias!) and feeling good in sleeveless tops, etc. I have not dropped more weight and wánt to but I'm having too much fun "as is" right now. I will get there, however. Hope you're having a great summer, too!

@@pink dahlia thanks for your post which I'm just seeing now......having a great summer, lots of walking and gardening (yes, some dahlias!) and feeling good in sleeveless tops, etc. I have not dropped more weight and wánt to but I'm having too much fun "as is" right now. I will get there, however. Hope you're having a great summer, too!

Bandista, glad to hear all us well with you ! Yes, im having a great summer too, enjoying the unusual hot Seattle are weather for months now. Im enjoying being healthy , and strong for gardening,walking, working out etc. My pants are too loose again, and I feel like a million bucks !!! So, no complaints here, except for someone who has a " name " like Pink Dahlia, you would think I could grow just 2 (!) this year . Major. Fail. Sigh......., maybe next year..................cue Charlie Brown whimper.............

I agree with all the posters on year your positive comments are always welcome..

I am so grateful for my band and even if I never reach my goal just stopping the cycle of losing weight just to get it back again and more will worth the experience.